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Toshiba Regza 46YL863 46in Smart TV

A visible difference

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Motion carried

Perhaps more useful is a motion sensor which dims the screen into a low energy mode when it thinks there’s no one in the room (or Personal Mode B has fallen asleep on the sofa).

Toshiba Places

Net functionality is generally good. Within Toshiba’s connected portal Places you’ll find Dailymotion, Box Office 365, Woomi, Cartoon Network, Acetrax, facebook and Flickr. BBC iPlayer and YouTube are also available, but have been hived out and given their own spot within the menu tree. Incidentally, Wi-Fi is built in, so networking this set presents few logistical challenges.

EPG

Media playback from USB is similarly solid. Video support covers AVI, MKV, MP4 and MPEG2, with MP3, AAC and WMA for audio. However, across a network performance video support is virtually non-existent. On the plus side, the TV allows timeshifting to USB. Up to eight external drives can be registered to the set. As a backup to a real PVR, this may well prove useful.

GUI

3D comes in the flickering form of Active Shutter technology; one pair of USB rechargeable spectacles is included in the box. Stereoscopic images are certainly brighter than many rival screens and there’s an exaggerated sense of depth. But with no depth control or parallax adjustment, images can’t be saved from pronounced crosstalk.

Some nice touches, but the picture is the smartest performer of them all

The set’s 2D to 3D conversion is another task handled by the swotty CEVO chip, but it’s not particularly compelling. Frankly, if George Lucas can spend millions post converting Star Wars with ‘meh’ results, this TV isn’t likely to do any better.

The set’s audio performance could be kindly described as strident. While there’s a sibilant edge at volume, an integrated subwoofer does a fare job of adding mid-bass. For casual listening though, it’s fairly acceptable.

Verdict

Overall, the Toshiba Regza 46YL863 is a stylish flatscreen capable of a great HD performance, but it’s not the complete package. Poor 3D and unconvincing DLNA streaming prevent it reaching premiere league status. ®